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Activities In Nursing Home

by | Sep 2, 2024 | Caregivers Support, Caregiving

Activities in nursing homes not only enhance the quality of life for seniors but provide a helping hand for the family caregivers. These activities are planned with the residents in mind – keeping one physically and mentally active. This could be done through providing entertainment and novelty which not only keeps seniors occupied but is a mood booster. 

Contrasting this environment to that of being cooped up at home, the stimulating and targeted activities in nursing homes is a great pull factor for families and caregivers who want to enhance the well-being of a loved one and at the same time, getting adequate support.

 

Benefits of activities in nursing homes

Physically active: Engaging activities which require movement could encourage one to get out and about moving, under the care of the nursing home staff so safety would not be compromised. 

Mental stimulation: These activities have the potential to stimulate cognitive function and memory which can reduce stress levels, providing a sense of accomplishment. 

Social benefits: Partaking in group activities expands one’s social circle, creating more opportunity for interaction in shared spaces. Elderly isolation is a common phenomena in Singapore where a lack of social activities leads to worsening of one’s mental health. Social activities would foster a sense of community and belonging.

 

Common activities we see seniors partaking in nursing homes
Activities What to expect
Arts and Crafts Arts and crafts provide an avenue for seniors to unleash their creativity and has the potential to train coordination skills, cognitive abilities, personal growth and also build relationships. In the setting of a nursing home, there are various art activities that seniors can engage in – be it in a personal capacity or group setting. Materials such as paints, brushes, coloured pencils, and craft supplies would help residents unleash their creativity and create beautiful works of art.

  1. Painting and colouring helps to relax the mind
  2. Greeting cards for special occasions – can be gifted to friends and family
  3. Flower arrangement
  4. Scrapbooking to compile a series of favourite memories
  5. Recycled art crafts
  6. Origami folding
Music sessions From stress relief to keeping the mind sharp, engaging in musical activities, listening to or playing music are highly beneficial for seniors. For dementia patients, music has the ability to calm one down, reducing stress levels and signs of agitation

  1. Karaoke sessions
  2. Mini concerts
  3. Dance classes
  4. Learning how to play a new instrument
  5. “Guess that song”
Game nights Games are a great form of social activity which can be enjoyed individually or also in a group. The nursing home might have a dedicated game space where seniors can head to whenever they feel like playing a game or also dedicated days where all seniors congregate and partake in games together. 

  1. Sudoku
  2. Scrabble
  3. Chess
  4. Card games
  5. Board games
Movie screenings Watching movies not only provides entertainment but could also be a walk down memory lane for seniors. Nursing homes might typically have big screens or a projector to screen the movie along with some sound systems. 

It is always a nice idea to bond with other seniors and grab some snacks while at that. 

Low intensity exercise classes In nursing homes, we typically see guided classes for seniors to engage in some form of physical activity, under the supervision of staff members. 

  1. Taichi
  2. Walking around the compound or garden
  3. Chair exercises
  4. Dancing
  5. Injury rehabilitation 
Celebrating occasions In nursing homes, the community is an important support system and one way we see this community spirit playing out is during the celebration of special occasions. Every Lunar New Year, there are events specially planned for seniors such as craft making, and even coming together for a meal. Such commemoration of special occasions could take one down memory lane to reminisce about the good times.
Cooking While seniors are not required to prepare their own meals, we typically see cooking sessions, baking classes where seniors can come together and prepare meals for themselves and each other. This encourages socialisation, stimulates the senses and also allows for creative expression i.e. when plating the food. 

 

Conclusion

Nursing homes create a vibrant and fulfilling environment for the residents through a range of engaging activities. These activities can be adapted to suit different skill levels and interest levels, so it is inclusive for seniors of all skill levels. It is important to note that while partaking in these activities, comfort levels and safety is of utmost importance and under the guidance of the nursing home staff, caregivers can be assured that their loved one is well taken care of. 

About Growing Needs

About Growing Needs

Growing Needs grew out of our own encounters with caring for our aging parents and reflecting on the Growing Needs that we ourselves would face as we advance in years. We hope to build a community that will learn, share and contribute towards caring for the growing needs of our loved ones.

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